MESSENGER'S LAMENT
While singing at an open stage
A messenger came along
And told me of a higher place
Where love's the only song
I took the torch and followed
To the dungeon we went down
"From here you work your way
To the tower and the crown"
Ah but...
Who will carry
The torch for me
When my arms
Are tired And who
Will sing my song
When my voice
Has expired
For many days I lingered
In the courtyard of a king
And this is what he said to me
When it came my chance to sing
"Outside these walls the wind sings
Where good crops are sown
Within these walls there's but a draft
To stir a seed from a stone"
About halfway up the tower
My lips had lost their fire
My hands were getting stiff
I couldn't strum my lyre
"Who'll lift this torch its heavy
Who'll march on the big walk"
"Try standing on your own feet
When your heart's a heavy rock"
Word came to the crumbled tower
With scolding tenderness
"The garden that I gave to you
Has turned to wilderness
Some stones I see are stained with blood
Some stones have gathered moss
I look beyond the stones and ask
Who'll bear my heavy cross"
© 1996 Stefan des Lauriers
Messengers mp3